Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions during an assessment for Ms X’s children, because it is unlikely that we could add anything to the investigation that the Council has already carried out. Additionally, the Information Commissioner’s Office would be better placed to consider some of the matters raised.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained the Council recorded incorrect information in an assessment regarding her children and shared this assessment with another person.
2. Ms X also complained the Council was not supportive or understanding of her being a survivor of domestic abuse during the assessment process.
3. Ms X said that this has caused her significant upset.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

4. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:

• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome, or
• there is another body better placed to consider this complaint, or

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. Ms X raised a complaint with the Council because she said the assessment it had carried out included several factually incorrect statements.
8. Ms X also complained that she was not supported or considered as a survivor of domestic violence throughout the assessment.
9. Ms X said that because the Council shared the assessment with another person, this caused her significant upset and further stress.
10. The Council has carried out an investigation into these matters and has apologised to Ms X relating to some of her complaint and provided an explanation about other parts of her complaint. It also offered to note a record of her views alongside its records. An investigation by the Ombudsman could not achieve anything more and would not lead to a different outcome. We will not therefore investigate.
11. If Ms X is unhappy with the updates to the assessment that the Council has made, she has the right to raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO has powers to require rectification of incorrect data.

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Final decision

12. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is unlikely that we would be able to add to the investigation that the Council has carried out.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman